Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Switzerland

A photograph of Switzerland
Photograph · Sam Ferrara · CC0 1.0

The Alps cover most of Switzerland's 41,291 km², which is why almost all of its 9,154,242 people live on the plateau — a band of low ground carrying Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Geneva, Lucerne and Winterthur within a few hours of one another. Cross a ridge and it is the language that changes: German is spoken by 62 per cent of the country, French by 23, Italian by 8, Romansh by half a per cent. Twenty-six cantons write their own rules on top of that. A trip here is usually a choice between the flat line of cities and the valleys branching off it.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
German, French, Italian and Romansh
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+41
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Swiss franc (CHF)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 · 117 police · 144 ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and J · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public drinking water is controlled under Swiss food-safety rules

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

100 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 0 Museums 0 Places of worship 178 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 460 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 638

Interests

History 344 Art 638 Museums 460 Nature 163 Sea and beach 140 Viewpoints 23
  2. Synagoge
    02 30 min

    Synagoge

    Synagoge ICZ Löwenstrasse

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  3. Mahmood Mosque
    03 30 min

    Mahmood Mosque

    Mahmud Moschee

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  7. Heureka
    07 1 hour

    Heureka

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  10. Bernhard-Theater
    10 1 hour

    Bernhard-Theater

    Bernhard Theater

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  11. Ganymede
    11 1 hour

    Ganymede

    Ganymed

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  12. Maag Halle
    12 1 hour

    Maag Halle

    Lichthalle MAAG

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  23. Martin Luther Church
    23 30 min

    Martin Luther Church

    Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Zürich

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  24. Neumünsterkirche
    24 30 min

    Neumünsterkirche

    Kirche Neumünster

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  25. Obere Kirche
    25 30 min

    Obere Kirche

    Niklauskapelle

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  27. Old Church Witikon
    27 30 min

    Old Church Witikon

    Alte reformierte Kirche Witikon

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  29. reformed church
    29 30 min

    reformed church

    Kirche Zollikon

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  33. Zwinglikirche
    33 30 min

    Zwinglikirche

    Zwinglihaus

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  35. Befreiung
    35 1 hour

    Befreiung

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  37. Deer
    37 1 hour

    Deer

    Hirsch

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  42. Klausstud
    42 1 hour

    Klausstud

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  45. Theater 11
    45 1 hour

    Theater 11

    Theater 11 Zürich

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  47. Theater Stok
    47 1 hour

    Theater Stok

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  48. Venedigbrunnen
    48 1 hour

    Venedigbrunnen

    Löwe von San Marco

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  51. a publik
    51 1 hour

    a publik

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  53. Art Empowers
    53 1 hour

    Art Empowers

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  56. Bildhalle
    56 1 hour

    Bildhalle

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  57. Bildhalle
    57 1 hour

    Bildhalle

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  59. Coin de Vue
    59 1 hour

    Coin de Vue

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  60. DIE GLOCKE
    60 1 hour

    DIE GLOCKE

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  65. Galerie Jungi
    65 1 hour

    Galerie Jungi

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  72. Galerie WOS
    72 1 hour

    Galerie WOS

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  85. Ngala
    85 1 hour

    Ngala

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  86. Petra Gut
    86 1 hour

    Petra Gut

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  88. stage
    88 1 hour

    stage

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  91. Trinkbrunnen
    91 1 hour

    Trinkbrunnen

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  92. Dreikönigen
    92 30 min

    Dreikönigen

    Kirche Dreikönigen

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  93. Kirche Saatlen
    93 30 min

    Kirche Saatlen

    Reformiertes Kirchenzentrum Saatlen

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Zurich
  96. 20km/h
    96 1 hour

    20km/h

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  97. 3 × 9
    97 1 hour

    3 × 9

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich
  99. Affe
    99 1 hour

    Affe

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Zurich

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Switzerland be?

Seven to ten days can combine two city or lake bases with one mountain region. Switzerland’s dense transport network reduces transfer friction, but weather-dependent alpine excursions still need flexible time.

What entry documents are needed for Switzerland?

Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration publishes entry requirements. Passport nationality, visit purpose and the wider Schengen route determine whether a visa is required and where to apply.

What is the best way to travel around Switzerland?

Zurich and Geneva airports connect directly to national rail. SBB trains, regional railways, PostBus routes and lake boats form the core network, while many mountain railways and cable cars use separate products.

When is a practical time to visit Switzerland?

June to September serves hiking and high-pass travel; December to March is the broad snow season. Mountain operating dates and weather vary by altitude, so verify the specific lift or route rather than relying on a national season.

What money and payment basics apply in Switzerland?

Switzerland prices in Swiss francs (CHF). The current treatment of euros, card fees and exchange rates is Not recorded here; verify the charged currency and amount before accepting conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Switzerland?

Switzerland uses 112 as a general emergency number, 117 for police and 144 for ambulance. Type C and J sockets supply 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.